FIVE organisations which play key roles in the management and conservation of Hampshire's countryside have been awarded £72,000 by Hampshire County Council.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has been awarded £11,000 in recognition of its continued support for a wide range of the council's aims, particularly working towards the stewardship of the environment.

The funding will also support trust work on a number of nature reserves which are jointly managed with the council.

The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, which works with about 180 community groups and many schools in Hampshire, will receive £18,000 towards its efforts to promote and support the work of conservation volunteers.

The funding will enable the trust to continue its work in promoting conservation initiatives.

Hampshire Conservation Volunteers has been awarded £500 towards its conservation projects, including several being carried out on council sites.

A grant of £41,000 has been awarded to support the work of the education department at Marwell Zoological Park.

It organises expert-led education sessions on a variety of conservation themes to support the national curriculum in schools.

Funding of £1,500 has been awarded to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight branch of Butterfly Conservation to support the surveying and monitoring of specific species of butterflies on sites managed by the council.

Council recreation and heritage boss Cllr Margaret Snaith, who gave the awards, said: "It is extremely important that Hampshire's beautiful countryside is there for everyone to enjoy, and the conservation work which takes place across the county plays a vital role in not only ensuring we can enjoy it today, but that future generations will continue to benefit from its beauty and diversity.

"These organisations all play an enormous part in helping us to achieve this aim and this funding will help them to continue their good work."